The nine versions and the final declaration

On 9 May 1950, the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, invites Germany and other interested European states to place their iron and steel production under the authority of a supranational European institution. As Schuman’s address could not be recorded on 9 May 1950, the Minister had to take part in a re-enactment of the event for posterity.

On 9 May 1950, staff of Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet put the finishing touches to the explanatory notes for the press on the Schuman Declaration, particularly regarding the anti-cartel aspect of the future coal and steel pool.

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In an article published in the French daily newspaper Le Monde on the 25th anniversary of the Declaration made on 9 May 1950, Pierre Uri, former colleague of Jean Monnet, recalls the preparations for the Schuman Plan.

On 15 May 1950, the French daily newspaper Le Monde publishes an article by political commentator Maurice Duverger in which he refutes the economic and political objections that are already being raised and welcomes the French proposal to create a coal and steel pool in Europe.

On 16 May 1950, André François-Poncet, High Commissioner of the French Republic in Germany, sends a letter to Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, in which he analyses the initial reactions in West Germany to the Schuman Plan.

In May 1950, in an article in the journal Union française et parlement, Léon Boutbien, Member of the Steering Committee of the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO) and Adviser to the French Union, welcomes the revolutionary nature of the Schuman Plan for a coal and steel pool and considers the issues surrounding the plan, in particular the attitude of socialist activists and the position of the British.

On 10 May 1950, the day after the press conference held by Robert Schuman on the pooling of coal and steel in Europe, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Vrije Volk welcomes the French Government’s initiative.

On 11 May 1950, an internal note from the German Foreign Ministry comments on the favourable response to the Schuman Plan by the United States and outlines the reaction of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) to the statement by the French Foreign Minister.

On 13 May 1950, the Germany daily newspaper Freie Presse looks back at the stormy history of Franco-German relations and welcomes the Schuman Declaration of 9 May that paves the way for a new entente between the two countries.

On 12 May 1950, Dean Acheson, US Secretary of State, sends a telegram to James E. Webb, Acting US Secretary of State, in which he describes the origins of the declaration of 9 May and particularly emphasises the role of Jean Monnet in the development of the Schuman Plan.

In an address to Members of the Council of the Allied High Commission for Germany, Jean Monnet recalls the origins and the fundamental objectives of the Schuman Plan and defines the scope of the powers held by the ECSC High Authority.

On 1 June 1950, the German magazine Die Gegenwart outlines the economic, political and social implications of the Schuman Plan for the Federal Republic of Germany and emphasises the importance of including Eastern Europe in the future coal and steel pool.

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On 4 June 1950, the British Sunday newspaper The Observer publishes an article by ‘a student of Europe’ which identifies the flaws in the Schuman Plan, deploring, in particular, the powers of the future High Authority.